Die



F. E. WHITE.

Oct. 10, 1939.

DIE

Filed June 10, 1937' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I qx/ErpEur: Fran]! if. White, fig W WI%M A 2:95,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. E. WHITE DIE Filed June 10, 1937 Fran)? E W/zz'te,

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Oct. 10, 1939.

Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIE Application June 10, 1937, Serial No. 147,396

7 Claims.

This invention relates to dies for cutting or perforating sheet material, and more particularly to a die for forming ornamental perforations, indentations or other types of marking on a cut out shoe upper section.

In the manufacture of shoes, particularly womens shoes, it is customary to apply ornamental designs to the shoe uppers, such designs being usually applied to the cut out sections of the uppers before they are lasted. Where, as is often desired, such designs comprise or consist of perforations or cut-outs, it is necessary not only accurately to locate the perforations or cutouts, but also to support the shoe upper sections so that the perforating or cutting instrumentalities will operate uniformly and efiiciently, producing clean cut openings without distorting or injuring the shoe upper sections.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a die which satisfies the aforementioned requirements and which is of simple design and construction, having but few parts, and which is reliable and efficient in operation.

Further objects will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly in section, of a die constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the die structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the base section of the die;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan View of a modified construction; and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises a base member I, here shown as a substantially rectangular block mounted on spaced uprights 2 which are rigidly anchored to a bed plate 4 adapted to rest on the work bed 5 (Fig. 1) of a press having a platen or head 6 movable toward and away from the work bed. The base member I is provided with a top plate 8 secured in position by screws 9 and formed with an extension [0 which projects forwardly beyond the front end of the base member to provide a shelf adapted to support the free end portion of a cut out lank or shoe upper W, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Adjacent to each corner the base member is formed with a cylindrical opening l2 in which is slidably mounted a plunger l4 formed at its lower end with an enlarged base which provides an annular shoulder adapted to engage the margin of a registering opening formed in the top plate 8, as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the plungers I4 is spring pressed outwardly by a small coil spring I6 which permits the plunger to be easily depressed. The parts are so constructed and arranged that the upper end of each plunger is normally maintained at the same level above the top plate 8, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

The body portion of the top plate 8 is provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting cutting instrumentalities, here shown as a group of spaced tubular punches formed integral with the top plate 8, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and arranged so as to define a fenestrated design of generally arcuate shape, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The particular type of punches and the arrangement herein shown is merely illustrative, and it is to be understood that various other types of cutting or marking instrumentalities, constructed and arranged to delineate any desired design, may be used. The upper ends of the punches 2i! are disposed at substantially the same level as that of the plungers l4, and each of the punches is provided with stripping means, here shown as a block of sponge rubber 22 which is formed with openings corresponding in size and shape with punches 20 so as to fit about these punches so that its top surface is at substantially the same level as the top of the punches, as shown in Fig. 4.

A bracket 25 is rigidly secured to the rear of the base member by screws 26 and is preferably U-shaped in cross-section (Fig. 1) to provide spaced walls which are formed with a plurality of vertically aligned openings, those in the top walls being of greater diameter than those in the bottom wall. Vertically movable stems or spindles 30 are mounted in the openings and each of these stems is formed with an enlarged upper end which has a snug sliding fit within the opening in the upper wall and a lower end of smaller diameter which has a similar fit within the opening in the lower wall, as shown in Fig. 1. A coil spring 32, disposed between the upper and lower walls, surrounds the lower end of each stem, the bottom of the spring being seated on the top face of the bottom wall with its upper end acting against the shoulder defined by the enlarged upper end of the stem. The lower end of each stem is provided with a tapped hole which receives a screw 33 having a head adapted to engage the under side of the lower wall of the bracket 25 to limit the upward movement of the stem 30 under the influence of the spring 32.

A mask plate 35 is rigidly secured to the upper ends of the stems 30 and is normally supported at a horizontal level above the plungers l4 and punches 20, the mask plate 35 providing, in effeet, a vertically movable shield covering the base member I and bracket 25. The mask plate is formed with an opening preferably conforming in size and shape with the outline of the design delineated by the cutting or marking instrumentalities, and as here shown is in the form of an arcuate opening 36 disposed in substantial vertical alignment with the design defined by the punches 20, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A gauge member 40 is rigidly secured to the under surface of the mask plate and is constructed and arranged to engage the forward edge of a cut-out shoe upper or the like sheet material W so as to hold it in proper position relative to the punches 20. In order to assist the proper positioning of the blank W and to hold it firmly in proper position, a pair of spring fingers 42 are riveted or otherwise secured to the opposite ends of the gauge member 40, these fingers extending forwardly adjacent to each end of the opening 36 and terminating in reversely curved end portions, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. In order to determine whether or not the blank W is squarely positioned against the gauge 49, the mask plate 35 is formed with a plurality of transversely extending slots or sightholes 45 (Figs. 2 and 4) located adjacent to the work engaging edge of the gauge 40.

In operating the die a blank W is first positioned against the under surface of the mask plate 35 and is then slid inwardly so that its forward edge contacts the edge of the gauge 40 and its lateral edges are positioned between the spring fingers .2 and the under surface of the mask plate 35, the sight-holes 45 permitting this operation to be performed with speed and accuracy. When thus positioned, the platen or head 6 of the press is brought downwardly, carrying with it the mask plate, blank and associated parts. During the downward movement of the mask plate the blank is firmly held in position by the plungers l4 and fingers 42, and by the time the head 5 completes its downward movement the punches 20 have been forced through the blank. During the actual cutting operation the mask plate provides, in eifect, a reinforcement for the blank which prevents the latter from undergoing any appreciab-le distortion or strain, which otherwise would result from the penetration of the punches 20. The upward movement of the head 6 permits the stems 30 to restore the mask plate to its initial position, and also permits the stripper 22 and plungers 14 to carry the perforated or marked blank upwardly clear of the punches 2i! so that it may be readily removed.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is in all material particulars substantially the same as that above described, and the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts. In this embodiment the mask plate 35 is formed with a single opening 36* of a size and shape conforming to the particular ornamental design carried by the shoe upper section W which consists of a cut-out vamp having a design defined by a line of stitching S disposed in substantial registry with the edges of the opening 36. The gauge member 40 is carried by the mask plate 35 but is located rearwardly of the opening 36 while the resilient spring fingers 42 are disposed on the rearward side of the opening so as to hold the forward edge of the blank in P p position. By way of illustration, the cutting instrumentalities are shown as comprising three generally triangular-shaped spaced punches 20 which may be provided with a sponge rubber stripper 22 as in the previously desc bodiment.

The operation of this modified form of die is substantially identical to that of the previously described embodiment, except that the blank W is first inserted between the under side of the mask plate 35 and the spring fingers 42 and is then drawn back so as squarely to contact the gauge 40 as may be readily observed by the operator through the portions 29= of the opening 36 which takes the place of sight-holes 45 of the previously described embodiment.

While I have shown and described different desirable embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, and that various changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A die structure comprising a base member having a cutting instrumentality projecting from its surface, a mask plate mounted to move toward and away from said base member, said mask plate having an opening arranged to surround said cutting instrumentality when said mask plate is moved toward said base member, yieldable means normally supporting said mask plate above said base member and cutting instrumentality so as to provide a normally open work-receiving space between said mask plate and cutting instrumentality into which a piece of sheet material may be slid, and means lor positioning said sheet material against the under surface of said mask plate and in predetermined relation to said cutting instrumentality.

2. A die structure comprising a base member having perforating means projecting from its surface and shaped and arranged to define an ornamental design, a mask plate mounted to move toward and away from said base member, said mask plate having an opening arranged to surround said perforating means when moved toward said base member, yieldable means normally supporting said mask plate above said base member and perforating means so as to provide a normally open work-receiving space between said mask plate and perforating means into which a cutout shoe upper section may be slid, and gauge means for positioning said cut-out shoe upper section in predetermined position against the under surface of said mask plate.

3. A die structure comprising a base member having a cutting instrumentality projecting from its surface, a mask plate mounted to move toward and away from said base member, said mask plate having an opening arranged to surround said cutting instrumentality when said mask plate is moved toward said base member, yieldable means normally supporting said mask plate above said base member and cutting instrumentality so as to provide a normally open work-receiving space between said mask plate and cutting instrumentality into which a piece of sheet material may be slid, and means for positioning said sheet material against the under surface of said mask plate and in predetermined relation to said cutting instrumentality, said mask plate having an opening arranged so that the position of the edge of said sheet material relative to said positioning means may be seen from a level above said mask plate.

4. A die structure comprising a base member having perforating means projecting from its surface and shape and arranged to define an ornamental design, a mask plate mounted to move toward and away from said base member, said mask plate having an opening arranged to surround said perforating means When moved toward said base member, yieldable means normally supporting said mask plate above said base member and perforating means so as to provide a normally open work-receiving space between said mask plate and perforating means into which a cut-out shoe upper section may be slid, and gauge means for positioning said cut-out shoe upper section in predetermined position against the under surface of said mask plate, said mask plate having an opening arranged so that the position of the edge of said sheet material relative to said positioning means may be seen from a level above said mask plate.

5. A die structure comprising a base member having a plurality of punches projecting from its surface and arranged to delineate an ornamental design, a mask plate supported at one end on said base member normally at a level above the tops of said punches so as to provide a normally open work-receiving space between said mask plate and punches into which a piece of sheet material may be slid, said mask plate being constructed and arranged to move toward and away from said base member and having an opening arranged to surround said punches when moved toward said base member, yieldable means circumposed about said punches for supporting said piece of sheet material at substantially the same level as the outer end of said punches, and gauge means for positioning said sheet material in predetermined position against the under surrace of said mask plate, said mask plate having an opening arranged so that the position of the edge of said sheet material relative to said gauge means may be seen from a level above said mask plate.

6. A die structure comprising a base member having a cutting instrumentality projecting from its surface, a bracket projecting laterally from said base member, said bracket having vertically extending guiding means, a spindle slidably mounted in said guiding means, resilient means yieldingly supporting said spindle so that its outer end projects upwardly beyond the level of said cutting instrumentality, and a mask plate secured to said spindle so as to provide a normally open work-receiving space between said mask plate and cutting instrumentality into which a piece of sheet material may be slid, said mask plate extending over the top of said base member and having an opening arranged to surround said cutting instrumentality when moved toward said base member.

7. A die structure comprising a base member having perforating means projecting from. its surface and arranged to define an ornamental design, a bracket projecting laterally from said base member, said bracket having a plurality of vertically extending openings, spindles slidably mounted in said openings, resilient means yieldingly supporting said spindles so that their outer ends project upwardly beyond the level of said perforating means, a mask plate secured to the outer ends of said spindles so as to provide a normally open work-receiving space between said mask plate and perforating means into which a cut-out shoe upper section may be slid, said mask plate extending over the top of said base member and having an opening arranged to surround said perforating means when moved toward said base member, and gauge means for positioning said cut-out shoe upper section in predetermined position against the under surface of said mask plate.

FRANK E. WHITE. 

